Fred Woodall writes:

Table Challenge 

Has anyone ever heard of a table with 6 leaves? 8 Maybe? How about 11?

This massive table also has big problems.

For starters:

The solid mahogany top has a total of eight splits from 1/8" to 3/8" wide.
Planning the cracks to fit flush will shorten the top at least 6 inches.
Will have to find another solution.

At one time someone doweled the apron into the top with 1" oak dowels.

This idea may have kept the apron from coming off but drastically

weakened the surrounding wood. There are several (cross-grain) cracks

2' and 3' long around the entire apron.

None of the 11 table leaves are interchangeable. Each is numbered from 1

to 12 and must fit into the table in this fashion. The dowel pegs have been
broken off and relocated numerous times. (I'm thinking of making a 6'
adjustable dowel jig for this table. Anyone ever heard of such a beast?) 

All eight legs have been repaired numerous times with a strong possibility
of having to duplicate two them. Yesterday Fernando removed 18 wood

screws from just one leg.

The underside mechanism (Joseph Fitter invention) does not work. One

of the internal threaded rods is bent and will not turn much less extend out.
Evidence of metal shavings suggests the spiral threads are stripped. Just
the idea of having to replace parts on this mechanism has me thinking of

a much earlier retirement date.  

The table runners are so badly worn that when fully extended everything
falls part. I figure it will take me at least two full days to re-build just
the runners.

This is just the beginning of the list of items that need attention. Once
the runners are repaired we will try and assemble the table and make

a proper assessment. 

Fred Woodall
Houston, Texas